American aphorism attributed to Ben Franklin (aka "Poor Richard") and originally thought as an admonition to adopt a Protestant work ethic. Later scholarship has revealed that its true meaning was intended as folk medical advice for those wanting early morning erections.
After watching "John Adams" on HBO, I found out what Ben Franklin REALLLYYY meant by "early to bed, early to rise." VERY wise advice, if ya know what I mean.
by jrcdmc June 19, 2011